GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Fast forward to 2021 and GivingTuesday is now an independent nonprofit and a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.

Each year on #GivingTuesday the world comes together to inspire generosity around the world, with a common mission to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.

Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.

At Boundless, we love using Giving Tuesday as an opportunity to go above and beyond for our clients and causes that matter to us. However, Giving Tuesday is also an opportunity to give in non-monetary ways! That’s the best part: anyone can participate in the global movement of #GivingTuesday.

Here are some more ideas you might consider to participate in the :

• Share kindness with your neighbors.
• Volunteer virtually or share your talents.
• Give your voice to a cause that matters to you.
• Discover a local fundraiser, community drive, or coordinated event to join others in your area or with your same interests in giving back — they need your help.
• Give to your favorite cause or a fundraiser to help those in need. 

Participating in GivingTuesday means that you’re joining a global movement for generosity and there are so many ways to do that. Whether you give your voice, goods, your time, or your money, being generous is a way to fight for the causes you care about and help people in need.

So, how many people are giving? Here are some of the data points from Giving Tuesday’s website. 2020 saw a record number of donations and participation.

• While giving in 2021 has not seen the explosive growth of 2020, the pace of giving and the number of donors has remained roughly the same or even a little higher. The estimated number of donors increased by 0.7% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, while the total amount of money given has risen by a projected 1.7%. 
• Fundraising has remained strong in the first half of the year due to the number of newly retained donors—that is, the number of new donors in 2020 who have continued to give in 2021. The number of newly retained donors increased 22.4% over the first half of 2021.   
• Total giving and the number of donors grew by record rates in the first quarter of 2021 (10% and 6%, respectively), but the growth was much more nominal in the second quarter. The drop in growth in the second quarter might be a developing trend that leads to flat or decreasing totals in the third quarter or maybe the result of abnormally strong first-quarter growth.  

The numbers indicate that more and more people are participating in #GivingTuesday campaigns each year, and 2021 just might break even more records.

One of the Boundless Team’s favorite ways to give back is volunteering. After all, time is one of the most precious resources, and donating our skills to a cause can make a HUGE difference.

Here are 3 simple ways you can volunteer on November 30th.

1. Raise Your Hand to Support Your Community

Over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations are registered in the United States alone, and over 6 million volunteers are needed today. That being said, there are plenty of good causes to dedicate your time to this year. Tens of thousands of opportunities are available through VolunteerMatch’s nonprofit network every day. Even if you already volunteer, chances are you’ll find opportunities that you didn’t know existed. Want to feed the hungry? Tutor kids? Deliver medicine to seniors? Once you have reached out to a nonprofit, energize others by sharing what you are doing on social media and ask them to join you in giving back. 

2. Volunteer Virtually

Get the tools and inspiration you need to become a virtual volunteer for the causes you care about. If you’re a part of a business or nonprofit, GivingTuesday is a great time to build out your virtual volunteering programs. Check out this virtual volunteering toolkit to get involved virtually!

3. Make GivingTuesday A Family Event

One of the best ways to show children the spirit of kindness this holiday season is through volunteering. It’s a great way to bond with your kids, and they will experience how good it feels to give back to others. On November 30, plan some time out of your day to volunteer or to explore different volunteer opportunities as a family and decide how you want to be involved. Inspire others by sharing what you are doing and maybe even do a volunteering activity with a small group of friends or co-workers.

Check out this list from VolunteerMatch’s network to find a non-profit you can lend a hand to! There are so many ways to support your communities and make a positive impact on GivingTuesday. And the best part? You have the flexibility to decide how to make a difference.